“A chanteuse of unique range and ability across all media” – The Washington Post On April 3, which is the 75th anniversary of revolutionary composer Kurt Weill’s passing, acclaimed singer & actress UTE LEMPER is releasing “Speak Low,” the new single from her forthcoming album Pirate Jenny, reimagined with new arrangements and performances by Ute Lemper and David Chesky. Composed by Kurt Weill for the musical One Touch of Venus, “Speak Low” was inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and popularly performed by Weill’s wife Lotte Lenya, Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand, Sarah Vaughan, and beyond. With its tender melodies and romantic depth, “Speak Low” remains one of Weill’s most enduring classics, celebrated in both Broadway and jazz circles. Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya’s legacy continues through the work of artists like Ute Lemper, who since 1985 has been performing the songs of Weill and other Jewish composers from the Weimar era— whose music was banned and persecuted by the Nazis.
She notes that Weill’s works remain relevant today: “Exotic characters fight for survival, rising from the ashes of racism, disadvantage, and neglect—stories that feel strikingly contemporary.” Ute Lemper’s sultry vocals and atmospheric beats are brought to life with The Audiophile Society’s immersive Mega-Dimensional Sound™, transporting longtime fans and new listeners alike to a smoky Berlin jazz club outside of time, reminiscent of Lemper’s award-winning roles as Cabaret’s Sally Bowles in Paris and Chicago’s Velma Kelly in New York and London. “This project is about creating a new audience for Kurt Weill,” says Lemper. “By blending his timeless melodies with a groove. I’m opening the door for younger listeners who might not know his work. It’s about building a bridge between eras, where Weimar meets the club.” A Billboard Crossover Artist of the Year, Lemper has reimagined icons like Marlene Dietrich (Rendezvous with Marlene is based on a three-hour phone call between Dietrich and Lemper), Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, alongside more modern collaborations with artists like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, and Roger Waters (The Wall: Live in Berlin, 1990).
